


.niOUGHTS ON SOCiAU 

I^ROBI^EMS A.NI) 
S(^i:^IPT^:JRK RKA.DINGS 










LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

Cliap._.?___. Copyright No 

Shelf___fi_a?T5 

\^op 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



J 



Tbod^bts 01) Social proMeiD5 ar?d Scriptiife 



Readings in Verse. 



BY 

EMMA C.SCHAFKR. 



PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR 



PASADENA, CAI,. 

PRINTED BY G. A. SWERDFIGER 

1900 



^ AUG 30 1900 

SECr-NO COPV. 
OKOtK DIVISION, 

SEP 6 1900 



TS3r,37 



Entered according to Act of Congress 
in the year igoo, by Emma C. Schafer, 
in the office of the Librarian of Congress 
at Washington^ D. C 



74;: 






MY COUNTRY; 'TIS TO THEB. 

Fair lands, green fields, and budding trees — 
Sweet wild flowers shyly nodding in the breeze; 
O rapturous scenes which stir the heart to throb 
In unison with nature's living God! 

Yet 'neath the gladsome joy, I feel the thrill. 
The saddened memory of the inhuman will 
That prompts the proud and great, life to deny 
For those oppressed, who toil, and groan, and sigh. 

"I want a home!" the honest workman cries, 
Then with a courage great, he nobly tries 
To earn, and save enough through long, slow time, 
To buy a place, that he can say, 'Tis mine. 

In vain; ere he from daily needs can save. 
His hair is turning white; he nears the grave. 
Perchance if wife and children he doth own 
When dying, leaves those dear, without a home. 

My Country, for thy homeless children I do pray 

To thee: A little lighter make the way 

For men and women trying to be good; 

Their strength upheld, temptation is withstood. 

Ye men who hold the power to change our laws. 
Help now your brothers in a righteous cause; 
Give them a chance, and they will hold their own. 
For love of God, of Country, and of Home. 



THE FORECLOSURE. 

We can't get a thing till the interest is paid, 
Old Sikes says if it ain't, he'll foreclose. 

We've worked real hard, yet the half is not made ; 
Where does he think I'll get the money, d'ye s'pose? 

The taxes were higher than even last year, 
The hay crop was a failure, you know; 

The apples brought little, and grain isn't dear ; — 
I guess the old place '11 have to go. 

Now don't cry so, Mary ; I know it is hard, 
And the children, — the}^ love the home so ; 

When they can't play and sing in the pretty front yard. 
Their hearts will be broken, I know. 

But what can we do? We've little to wear, — 

Ashamed to be seen at the church. 
Where they talk of God's help and provident care, 

But I guess He's left us in the lurch. 

There, there, you know I don't mean that when I say, 

For I well know God isn't to blame ; 
But I wish that those fellows who are having their way, 

Would be touched by His power, just the same. 

4 



Those men I mean who are making the laws, 
They might give the poor farmer a chance. 

If they'd all worked as well as they prayed for the cause, 
Why, we'd be a few steps in advance. 

Now, here they are taxing property twice, 

And those who for homes are in debt 
Pay the interest and taxes ; isn't that nice 

For the rich more money to get ? 

Well, I've argued with some, and what did they say? 

That we'd no business to undertake 
To get us a home, if we couldn't see our way 

The expenses and interest to make. 

That's it! That's just what they did with Christ ; 

No shelter, no place on earth could He own, 
Yet for them He could give His work and His life 

To gain them a heavenly home. 

Say, Mary, do you think we could glut and gorge 
And live on the sweat of the poor and weak ? 

No. I'd rather lose twenty places, by George! 
Than to fatten on others like a cowardly sneak. 

But, Mary, let's pray and get of God's grace 

To help us our burdens to bear, 
And Sikes will, perhaps, not foreclose on the place, 

If God in mercy will answer our prayer. 



RETROSPECTION. 

BY one; of the NINE-TKNTHS. 

Foreclosure ! And that means ten years of hard work, 
With never a time of ease, and never a duty to shirk; 
With always a hope to retrieve the ground that was 

lost. 
With ever the brave self-denial so many have known 

to their cost. 

Ten years is a short experience but it left a lasting 

crook 
In my fingers ; and a string of reminiscences to hang 

upon the hook 
Of memory ; while I lightly the way of " Prosperity" 

tread, 
With rented apartment to sleep in, and eat my " half 

loaf of bread.'* 

While I wonder and ponder on what in the future I'll 
fare, 

'Was discharged from work, ' 'not needed, " my em- 
ployer didn't care'; 

But said if ever I wanted he'd give me a recommend; 

Yet that will not buy the ''half loaf." He does not 
comprehend 

6 



That it takes a deal more of courage than I've left 

after the loss 
Of home and friends and comfort; I couldn't grab at 

the toss 
Of his paper, which with words of "faithful service" 

he'd inscribe. 
My word's as good as his, I suppose it hurt my 

pride. 



Yet "beggars can't be choosers;" but you see it 

makes one feel 
Quite homelike, self respecting, leaves one an air 

genteel, 
To know you were not humbled by one who ought to 

know 
That praise from him, would merely be an empty kind 

of show. 



I'm telling this to show you, 'tis in the common line 
Of nine-tenths of the people ; the other one-tenth shine 
As benevolent employers — distributers of alms. 
Give thanks to a kind Providence, of conscience have 
no qualms. 



But times are changing somewhat, at least they are 

with few. 
And we sometimes hear quotations about the 

"conscience new;" 
That is, a growing tendency of feelings 'kin to shame 
To use the work of others without just pay for same. 



Some rich men feel they're cowards unless they do 

their share 
Of labor; and too have moral courage "divisions"* to 

declare. 
They scorn to see the women do the work too hard for 

them, 
And idly sit, make no protest; it lowers them as men. 



A man's true sphere upholding, they the ^'conscience 

new" adorn; 
All childhood finds them champions true, to stations 

they're not born. 
The right of common manhood's ties is all they care 

to own. 
The right of wife and children dear, and for them all 

a home. 



I'm hoping that this conscience rare will spread as fast 
as grip. 

Attack the wealthy one-tenth, like the slaver's heart- 
less whip, 

Drive out the hog-like tendencies, all they can grasp 
to hold 

I^eave them with manhood's new ideals; God speed to 
rest the old. 



* Of gams, to employees. 



A PI.KA TO THE VOTERS. 

I am here tonight to plead with you, ray brothers. 

You hold the Nation's welfare in your hand, 
You hold in sacred trust the lives of others, 

Oh, is it not a time to understand? 

Is it not time to think of those who labor ? 

Who THUst submit to dictates stern and wrong ? 
Can you not feel the wounds that hurt your neighbor ? 

Will you not give a joy to those who've suffered long? 

You know so many lives that have been darkened; 

You know that misery dries the fount of human joy; 
You also know that those who have not hearkened 

To God's commands, sin did their works destroy. 

I pray to you, to all that's good within you, 
To the sublimest, holiest thoughts you hold, 

To memory of past pains, from which Christ's death 
did win you. 
By sufferings which so oft have been retold. 

In His dear name, O, do his burden -bearing. 
Use mind and hand to help each one to live 

A life of health, with trust in God ; so sharing 
All that is good in life. Be glad you thus can give. 



With generous thought, give freely of the learning 
With which the years of toil have marked the brow, 

Give now, to save the little ones ; your yearning 
Hearts I know are pleading for their welfare now. 

Then never stop to ask if these are worthy, 

Repulsive though they seem, the Master such would 
save; 

Purge now your souls for Him, from all that's earthy; 

"Well done !" will recompense for all you gave. 



A PROTEST AGAINST FILIvED CHEESE. 

Just a word, you honest farmers 

Who your milk to factory take, 
Do you know the milk they're skimming 
And from skim-milk cream-cheese make? 
O they cheese it, 
And they grease it, 
Then they squeeze it; 
Thus they make their full-cream cheese. 

*Blake, I see, will try his power 
To suppress this swindle great ; 
But his ** Bill" will get a shower 
From the swindlers in the State. 
For they'll freeze him, 
> And they'll squeeze him. 

And they'll grease him. 
Till he'll dread to say cream-cheese. 

10 



lyCt consumers stop the swindle ; 
Is this what you farmers say ? 
Then your honor's on the dwindle, 
And for it you'll have your pay, 
O they'll grease you. 
And they'll squeeze you. 
Then they'll freeze you 
From the profits of cream cheese. 

If there's any any manhood in you. 

Though you nothing have at stake, 
When with grease they try to win you, 
Just support that ''Bill" for Blake. 
Stop their greasing. 
Stop such cheesing. 
Stop such fleecing. 
By these makers di filled cheese. 



* Member of Wisconsin Legislature, 



11 



''UNDER PRESSURE. " 

Must the tension or pressure be daily applied, to urge 

you to do your best ? 
Will you only be manly and strong when into hard 

service you're pressed? 
We women are praying for help, to men of power and 

strong will, 
To raise the standard for all, and yet be gentlemen 

still. 

Do you care if those children are sickly and sad, 

through lack of nourishing food ? 
Are politics rather distasteful to you? or are you so 

"unco gude" 
That you think it would harm you to mix in the fray 
And contest for right, 'concerned what "our circle" 

might say ? 

Our nation has need of your mind power ^ in planning 

and taking the stand 
^\i2X justice he done to her children; that g-reed shall 

not rule our land. 
Will you use your power as you ought, not because it 

may bring you fame? 
Or will you idly look on, lest politics smirch your 

fair name ? 



12 



TO BROTHER J. L., AFTER READING HIS 
''COMPENDIUM ON PROTECTION." 

Protection, dear brother, is splendid, 

I've wished for a little so long; 
Your issue is ably defended, 

Your argument lucid and strong. 

I agree with some of your statements, 

But think of a different need: 
The protection of women and children. 

The weak and the sick from the greed 

Of the men who demand without merc}^ 
All their toil, — even honor and life 

Will not spare; if it fill but their purses 
They will sanction humanity's strife. 

To bring under meek subjection 
Those islands that want to be free; 

Perhaps they will call this protection, 
That defines not the term for me. 

I would ask that our glorious nation 
Shall take better care of her own; 

Save her children from death of starvation. 
And give them a sheltering home. 

13 



And more, the chance to be healthy, 
Grow stronger in body and mind; 

A privilege reserved for the wealthy. 
Am I leaving your issue behind ? 

Well, as far as the duties concerning, 

That are laid on imported goods. 
By experience our nation's been learning: 

Tax luxuries, not needed foods. 

Could we do our own producing 
Of all that we need, then 'tis plain 

That better our goods we'd be using, 
Than of Russia, or China, or Spain. 

For then we would not be in danger 
Of importing the germs of disease. 

Let's restrict on importing the stranger 
Who's afflicted with any of these. 

From within we first must be strengthened, 
Ere help we can give across seas ; 

Our power will never be lengthened 
Or broadened, by conquest to please. 

While I'm speaking, the right that is moral 

Should also be so under law; 
On this issue I know we'll not quarrel, 

For you're learned in detecting a flaw. 

Or falsehood, or word that is plainer, 
You know how, through law, courts succeed 

To interpret to all who's the gainer, 
With lawyers and jury well feed. 



14 



You're aware of the toilers' condition, 
How adrift they are suddenly turned ? 

Their faithfulness brings no fruition. 
This lesson I've thoroughly learned. 

We ask that our nation supply us 

With work at a living wage, — 
Not leave it to men who deny us 

In chosen pursuits to engage. 

Then the homes that are needed, dear brother, 
How they're wrecked, or never are made, 

With poverty's outlook ; no other 
Has progress of nation so stayed. 

Good workmen are fearful to marry. 
Lest they earn not enough to provide; 

And loved ones the burden must carry, 
Then at last be swept under the tide 

Of ignorance, hunger, and failing 
Of health, brought on in the train. 

When exertions prove all unavailing 
Necessities of life to obtain. 

The Social Problems y far-reaching. 

Need thoughtful study to find 
Solution. When doctrines you're teaching, 

Consider these well in your mind. 



15 



A WARNING. 

Yes, make another promise; 

Poor dupes, we'll take your word. 
''Be patient and long suffering," 
This text we've often heard. 

Ignore your pledge, 'tis easy, 

A slight pretext will do; 
Honor is a dead letter. 

Unless it's gilded, too. 

Get all you can and keep it; 

Forget '' Thou shalt not steal;" 
If but man's law uphold you, 

O'erreach in every deal. 

Think you'll escape God's justice ? 

Never! Be not deceived; 
Falsehood has lying children 

Who parents' hearts have grieved. 

Of sowing and of reaping, 

You know the law, then heed; 

I^est growing tares and nettles 
Proclaim, you've sown the seed. 



16 



RESURRECTION. 

The good, toiling, sorrowing people are crucified ever 

anew, 
And want's heavy boulder is shutting the heavenly 

scenes from their view. 

The sepulcher guarded by statesmen, well backed by 

the opulent powers, 
Keep watch that the spirits entombed there, rise not 

through the somber night hours. 

Hush ! Gaze on the vision of fancy ! The watchers have 

fallen asleep; 
The angels of justice descending, their pledges of 

mercy now keep. 

The sepulcher wide now they open; the spirits within 

are set free; 
Morn finding the sad hearted women, their grief 

turned to joy as they see 

The grave opened wide and the garments but left to 

assert who's been there. 
Straight- way they proclaim the glad tidings; their 

hearts have been lightened of care. 

17 



Joy! Joy! The great, generous, true men have dared to 

be brave, and to die 
To selfish indulgence of luxury, while need and 

despair raised a cry. 

In quiet they suffered and labored, while rulers and 

priests thought them dead; 
Behold this their resurrection! with disciples they 

break now the bread 

Of happiness, knowledge and beauty, and rest after 

toil's wearing strain. 
We are glad of the Christ-love within them, that unto 

the lowly ones came 

And gave us the hope of the future, the humble all 

glory shall share. 
But fride will have no resurrection, to mar other 

lives that are fair. 



18 



WIIvLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN. 

Hero, and leader, thus far you've been tried and never 
found wanting. 
Bred where humanity's brain power and sinews are 
made. 
Once sore defeat of your hopes you endured, the gibes 
and the taunting 
That triumph is right, unabating your zeal to the 
cause for which martyrs prayed. 

Not this the test of endurance; but when victorious, 
leading. 
When with the flattery of demagogues you are 
beleagued. 
When with seared conscience like another from 
promise receding. 
Duped by false sophistry, blind to barter of those 
who intrigued — 

To the betrayal of trust, with the shining bait are 
tempting. 
What though you lose; for the sake of our country's 
honor, be firm; 
Weld us again to brotherhood principles, no one 
exempting 
From right by his labor to live, when democracy's 
days shall return. 

19 



ENGLAND. 

England: A deathless infamy will soil your history's 
pages, 
Your starving foster children's pain will be avenged 
by God. 
You heed no warnings plainly told by your true sons 
and sages, 
While millions gasp in agony upon a grassless sod. 

You are reaping the curse of the dying; 

You may tremble at judgment morn; 
India's air, with its pestilence, sighing. 

Condemns your refinement to scorn. 

England: 'Tis cruel sacrifice; brave lives for yellow 
metal; 
Your queen would far more honored be, to wear of 
thorns a crown, 
Than jewel-crowned in robes of state, each gem a flow- 
er-like petal, 
Bought with the blood of England's men, for honor 
and renown. 

You are seared with your conquests for glory, 
You are carnal and dull as a clod; 

Gaze unmoved on the soil that is gory 
With victims whose blood cries to God. 



20 



*'D0 WELL THY WORK." 

The hint that you offered, was needed, 
For the work was left partly undone; 

If my pleadings for right are unheeded. 
And your efforts for good are not won. 

If phrases and words were more cutting. 
Would the vanity pass from your life ? 

Is the cataract of self darkly shutting 
Out light, and needs the sharp knife ? 

You were needing a spirit that's willing 
To help struggling lives, and make glad; 

Yet were seeking your comfort, and stilling 
The ''small voice," whose witness you had. 

This is harsh; but I know you'll forgive me 
In the coming years, when you know 

That I did well the work which you bid me, 
Yet suffered in doing it so. 



21 



TO SEIvF-ORDAINED ARISTOCRACY. 

From the eastern states and northern, come they to 
this land of flowers, 
'Natures shrunken, 'spite their blue blood, stiffened 
with a family pride ; 
But the warmth, and genial welcome, soon exerts its 
soothing powers. 
And the blood gains richer color as the sympathies 
grow wide. 

Moral: 
Let your sympathies be broad enough to reach each 
human heart, 
And your thin blue blood will change into a richer 
healthier glow, 
Leave your cherished family boastings of the chilly 
climes apart. 
In this land you'll gain no laurels on the musty doc- 
uments you show. 



22 



TO EXCLUSIVE SOCIETY. 

Build up your social barriers high; 

Look down on those who toil with aching frame; 
Oppress and scorn them, till their hearts are dry, 

But stoop to utilize their toil for gain. 

Strut proudly to club or church, attired in the fashion ; 

Use often **our servants," to make the distinction 

more clear. 

It matters nothing to you their pain and their passion; 

They are less than the dust beneath you; you are 

glad your slurs they can hear. 

What will exclusiveness avail 

When shams of earth at last away are swept ? 
Your social barriers then will surely fail, 

Though here the honest poor low down they've kept. 



23 



SOCIAI. KQUAI.ITY. 

Distinctly unequal: That lovely talented young woman 
You are helping to ostracise, because of her father's 
trade ? 
And you are a Christian ? Such conduct we term 
inhtunan ; 
We who dare not echo one-half the professions 
you've made. 

Intellectually, doubtless, above you, as you are admit- 
ting; 
Morally strong, and spiritually saintly and pure ; 
Speech and actions at all times a lady befitting. 

Not your social equal ? You're mistaken, dear sir, 
I'm sure. 

Father a carpenter ? Can it be you are really forgetting, 
Jesus was following the trade you affect to despise ? 

So this contemptible farce by your silence abetting ? 
Keeping an angel down? Kxi^you hope to rise ? 

'Blinded by prejudice : Will you not ask the Redeemer 

To give you a spiritual vision, to clearly behold 
That God made greater the life of sweet Ruth, the 
gleaner, 
Than queens, whose lineage on centuries' pages are 
scrolled ? 



24 



BRING A SOUL UNTO LOVE'S ALTAR. 

A gentle maiden with Christ's spirit shining in her 
face, 

Had toiled from childhood till the years gave her a wo- 
man's grace. 

The way unaided and uncheered, alone she bravely 

trod, 
Save for the comfort that Christ gave in leading her to 

God. 

Now for her gracious charms, a lover seeks her for his 

own. 
Offers his strong, protecting arms; his heart to be her 

throne. 

* ' I had no kind protection through the years when I 

was weak," 
She answered; *' And those words seem idle that you 

speak. 

God will give me His protection, which you need as 

well as I. 
The throne you offer is too low; I seek the one on 

high. 

25 



You have buried all your talents, till with rust they're 

covered o'er. 
First use well what God has given you, then he'll surely 

give you more. 

Let that selfhQ all forgotten in the doing of His will. 
Let the thoughts of noble manhood you with grander 
purpose fill. 

Man and woman must stand equal evermore before the 

throne 
To be judged; this is the sequel that in future will be 
known. 

A woman cannot give her life and soul, by man to be 
controlled. 

And, like Ksau, have her birthright for a mess of pot- 
tage sold. 

Do not think your name an honor, though you're rich 

in worldly things; 
I can never worship Mammon, and serve Christ, the 

King of kings. 

Go and pray, and work with zeal, your lost inheritance 

reclaim ; 
Bring a soul unto love's altar, ere you seek a soul to 

gain." 

Man can never have his Eden by the serpent unbe- 

guiled, 
When he giveth nought to woman, but the things that 
are defiled. 



26 



THE GBNKRAI.-HOUSEWORK GIRI.. 

In the kitchen, through the house, all day the house- 
hold's comfort making. 
Is the busy, helpful girl; does all that she can do. 
All alone, ah bitter shame! her hurried meal she's 
taking. 
In the heated kitchen, often from the scraps; 'tis 
strange, but true. 

Tired at night, with famished mind that craves a 
change, a higher longing, 
No one of the well-fed family will think or care, 
When discouragement she shows, they with suspicions 
wronging 
Her, will pry and question, thinking thus they do 
their helpful share. 

When in godly piety you sit at meal and ask a family 

blessing 
On the well-cooked viands, that a savory odor give, 
She who meekly waits outside, knows Christ's law 

you're transgressing 
Thinks that if life were all like this, 'twere better not 

to live. 



27 



" Starving would I rather be, than for such vulgar 
women housework doing." 
Such the words came from a friend, an honest, faith- 
ful girl. 
Wonder not that girls will leave, perhaps a life of want 
pursuing, 
None to guard them, downward drifting, greater loss 
than costliest pearl. 

O ye women, keen of mind, all other wrongs perceiving 
clearly. 
Seek no statements for excuse, of sophistries beware; 
Think ye now how you are paying with these lives of 
girls too dearly; 
I know well whereof I speak, for listen: I''ve been 
there. 



Yes, I've sweltered all the day, when the meal-room 

needed cooling ; 
Have baked those famous pies that oft a blessing got; 
Have said I am learning surely of those who now are 

ruling. 
While they dined on the good food that for hired girls 

is not. 



All in silence lived I through it, learned how other 
girls are living, 
Learned why self-respecting girls were hating house- 
work so. 
Solved the problem which to you in love I'm giving: 
Treat as equals all, and life in harmony will flow. 

28 



RECOMPENSE. 

In course of fifteen minutes idle chatting, 

I've learned I'm thought a valuable machine. 

Why, yes, I dust the things and clean the matting, 
And do all else I'm told in times between. 

Strange, isn't it, that I remain contented? 

Studying and working without praise or blame? 
Crave not from others flattery sweetly scented? 

Toil not, for what I know would bring me fame? 

How can I helf? The time is drawing nearer 
When I can do all good, without the pain 

Of sacrifice; while thinking other lives are dearer. 
If they through me a solace only gain. 

Rewarded? In the sacred, quiet hushing 

Of midnight, when the stars glow soft and clear, 

Joy comes to me; the Father lifts the crushing 
Sense of loneliness, saying: ''To me, my child, 
you are dear." 



29 



DR. AND MRS. LYMAN ABBOTT. 

Two perfect livevS, by God designed are they; 

Wisely they thwarted not their Maker's will, 
But joined by Him in soul, His laws obey, 

And seek their earthly mission to fulfil. 

Through human failures each gives help to each; 

Rising above defeats, they give us aid. 
Their lives filled with Christ-love more plainly teach 

Than discourses. These progress oft delayed. 

What can we say to show our gratitude 
To you for showing us the beauteous way ? 

We'll call you friends; whose faith you have renewed 
In a glad future for humanity. 

And human friendship means so much, that we 
As kindred spirits rise to your fair plane. 

Knowing but partly now; then all we'll see 
Of the fair Bden whence the blessing came. 



30 



PASADENA. 

Crown of the valley, you are gloriously fair, 

Yet all your outward charms to me do not appeal 

As those fair lives that work with anxious care, 

Sickness and poverty to aid, yet carefully their work 
conceal, 

**Iyet not thy right hand know." This is their chosen 
way ; 
Seeking not loud approval or conspicuous place; 
Tired, O so tired with wearing, petty tasks that come 
each day. 
And misunderstandings seen so oft on each loved 
face. 

But we who feel, and note each kindly little act. 

Will not, can not forget, and must our witness bear. 
The record is well made; on grateful hearts, each 
kindess and each tact 
To screen some weakness; they will even here 
Christ's glory share. 



31 



THE GRANDEST MISSION OF WOMEN. 

Had I children, what would I teach them? 

At first that they must be clean; 
And to honor the body that's given; 

Think ever by God they are seen. 

In all dealings their motives to question, 
Be ashamed to deceive and o'er-reach, 

To control even righteous anger. 

Be thoughtful in manner and speech. 

Then to this would I add some book learning, 
Some training of eye and of hand; 

Some problems of life and of morals 
I'd help them to understand. 

And I'd teach them the blessed privilege 

Of coming to mother in grief; 
I^earning there how our God is as loving — 

I^oving always^ while earth's love is brief. 

Yes, I think that the life of a mother 
Has the grandest mission on earth; 

Yet no matter how humble is woman, 
She can show by her life-work, her worth. 

Though no dimpled baby hands pet her. 
Nor fond husband guards and provides; 

Yet her life may be helpful and loving, 
And children's lips bless her besides. 



32 



SPIRIT AND I.ETTKR. 

Mother, I love her, — to me the sweetest of womankind; 
Welcome her as your daughter, this tender, brave- 
hearted maiden. 
I may search the earth wide, yet no truer helpmeet I'll 
find; 
Just for my sake unbend, and meet her with mother- 
love laden. 

Trust me ; my love to you is strong, and never will 
fade 
When she comes, — my heart's idol. Her spirit and 
mine were mated ; 
As the angels stood by and approved, the union was 
made. 
Earth-life our growth perfects, and love should be 
here consecrated. 

sf: j{c :{c jjs ^ 

My son, can you have suddenly become as one that's 
blind ? 
To not perceive the social distance that your lives 
divide ? 
I taught you early to select a lady of your kind. 

Can you by marriage hope her social caste or work 
to hide ? 



33 



Did she not as a common servant work for clothes and 
food? 
Our set such lowness, such a distance ne'er can over- 
look. 
You'll break my heart if you persist in thought and 
act so rude ; 
Think of our name, your sisters' pride, disgrace they 
cannot brook. 

^1^ ?yi ?jC *^ ^j^ 

I have thought of it all till I'm tired of the ceaseless 
round. 
It will not break your heart, 'tis your pride that 
needs to be broken. 
Dare I not seek her hand, though my heart is to her 
ever bound? 
What is name and position, to truth that is left un- 
spoken ? 

Yet because of you, mother, I am weak, — a thing to 
despise. 
Call it honor to break her heart, dearer than mine 
and better? 
You worked hard all these years just to make me more 
worldly wise; 
Never taught me obey in spirit God's laws, but in 
letter. 



34 



DUAI^ITY. 

A voice within me saying I, complained it had been 
in a dungeon kept; 

And left uncared for there to lie, while jailers all the 
time away had slept. 

Once, when a melody was played, they faintly let a 
pale light wavering in. 

Again, a tender voice that prayed, made memory own 
this torpor life was sin. 

That melody, like deepening twilight on the heart- 
strings falling, 

That prayer, like tender mother-love is gently to me 
calling. 

Far off and faint large-rounded words, the jailers warn 

the angel songs away; 
Near, soft yet real, like touch of birds, a balm is left 

where softly their wings lay. 
O echo the hollow words, you made them shut me yet 

more darkly in; 
The blessed gentle touch, like birds, took me unto the 

light, dispelled the self-like sin. 
Then awful sounds of threatening came as like a 

deathly chilling, 
Blest birdlike touch of sympathy, sent heart-throbs 

through me thrilling. 

35 



So with the strength in me renewed, back will I force 

those servants to their place. 
Now with new joyful life imbued, at this late day I'll 

enter in the race. 
The body, to the soul, in truth, forever more must 

now a subject be. 
So long imprisoned by false sophistry, my soul thou 

now art free. 
"Free from the wish for earthly praise, which steers 

one toward the breakers. 
Free from the wish to please your minds, if it please 

not my Maker's." 



36 



''TAKE YE AWAY THE STONE." 

{John 11:39.) 

Marys and Marthas, o'er all the land are weeping, 

For brothers dead, in ignorance and sin; 
Though Christ assures them that they are but sleeping, 

Yet will they not believe, except a miracle be 
wrought by Him. 
For every day will prove a father's blessing, 

If we, like Jesus, work in faith and prayer; 
Let us not be content our helplessness confessing, 

And like those sisters, leave our Lazarus there. 

Think of that grave, in sacred writ recorded. 

As symbol of the apathy that reigns 
In minds, who deem that cunning is rewarded. 
Whose hearts are dead to all but visual gains. 
Think of the poor, whose souls are dwarfed and 
stunted. 
In constant labor for their daily bread; 
Who for relief from pain, will get their feelings 
blunted. 
Think of all these, dear friends, these are our 
Lazarus dead. 

Shall we, like those of old, go sadly mourning. 
Wringing our hands in helplessness and woe ? 

37 



Ivike Martha, say, Christ is too late, and scorning 
To think those dead so long, can come to life? Ah 
no. 

Listen; these words have come to me so often, 
They touch my spirit with a living tone; 

I know if we obey, our grief will soften 

At Christ's command, '*Take ye away the stone." 

Take ye away the stone, 

Take ye away the stone. 

Remove the gravecloths, from the face, 

And let it wear its living grace. 

Roll ye away the stone. 

This is our task; and when the graves unclosing, 

When sinfulness, neglect, oppression, are removed, 
We'll find though long in dust they've been reposing, 

God's will, that they shall live, is clearly proved. 
Then; O my friends, the rapture, the rejoicing! 

Our Lazarus, come back, to life to home, 
In songs of praise, our feelings we'll be voicing, 

And lowly thank our God that we removed the 
stone. 



38 



EVOLUTION. 

{Isaiah 55:4.) 

Ye see the wondrous power of God in all creation, 

In the plants and beings that live for a better kind; 
Your knowledge and voice of the soul is the great 
translation 
Of the care, the unceasing work of the Infinite mind. 
You acknowledge God speaks to your souls : "I want 
you to help me 
To perfect the beautiful things which I have begun." 
He loves thee, O man, so much, this task He dcth 
give thee; 
In return he will call thee * * My good, my dutiful 



To woman, " My daughter, thou art loving and pa- 
tient; 
O come to me close. The joys that are sweetest are 
thine; 
Thou hast borne much, and must still bear, to work 
out salvation. 
Help to mold the great forces, and save from the 
dust, the divine. 
Ye ask of me often, my children, with weak under- 
standing. 
What wouldst thou, dear Father, what wouldst 
Thou that we should do ? 



39 



When ye feel that under My laws your minds are ex- 
panding, 
And the soul answers yes to its question, this call 
then is true. 

' ' In the far distant past I gave a great leader. 
My Moses, the pure moral law did proclaim. 
Yet they hardened their hearts; then I sent them a 
leader 
To quicken and save, with His love the lost souls to 
reclaim. 
Now ye whom I call My own, His teachings will 
follow ; 
And with great love like His^ try the best I have 
given to save. 
Ye will work out my will, not make protestations hol- 
low 
That will sink all the pure and the good in a name- 
less grave. 

''Ye will join in a beautiful band by glory surrounded, 
Ever rising up higher, till the lower ideals are out- 
grown; 
Be a symbol, a shining light, whose rays are un- 
bounded. 
Which, reflected on earth, will reach to the heavenly 
home. 
Then the low, lurid gleams of passion and sin no longer 
Will beckon the young into pathways of vice and of 
shame; 
The clear, all illumining light will ever prove stronger 
And cleanse the gold from the dross, with its beauti- 
ful, calm, steadfast flame. ' ' 

40 



''ASK AND YK SHAI,!, RECKIVE." 

{Matthew 7:7.^ 

"Ask and ye shall receive," came softly the assurance, 
When long I'd hoped some cherished end to gain; 

"Work and believe," work with a calm endurance, 
And then success shall surely crown your aims. 

In perfect faith, I asked a trifling favor, 

From one, an upright, honest man; 
His answer from the Word divine did savor: 

''I'll do for you what I can." 

Ah, now I know that not from God alone 
Shall we ask help in time of greatest need, 

These human friends will make our cause their own, 
Will prove their friendship oft "by generous deed. 



41 



CAUSE AND EFFECT. 

{Matthew io:i6.) 

When the head is racked with a fever, 

And the body with hunger's pain, 
When from those you have helped you would borrow 

And find that your asking is vain ; 
Then the bitterness drives away hunger, 

But the fever burns on till it's low, 
And you think that the wisdom of serpents, 

Is better in future to know. 

While the twilight descends, enter angels. 

Bright and cheerful each womanly form; 
The gifts which they bring are as potent 

As oil used to calm the sea's storm. 
The touch of their hands cools the fever. 

Their sympathy weakens your love ; 
Your bitterness fades with the twiUght, 

While you choose to be meek as a dove. 



42 



DEI.IVKRANCK. 

^^Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will 
deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me*'' 

Not in the morning's glow of life's glad sweet success; 

when showers 
Of earth's good things are falling 'round us, like a 

mass of flowers; 
Culled, but to make the pathway for our feet more fair, 
Wafting for us their dying incense on the air. 

In days that are dry wnth despair, and hot with their 
torment of anguish. 
When doubt alternates fitfully with our dark fears, 
When oblivion but mocks, and no breath of hopes left 
to languish. 
As a ray for the future, naught left for pain's 
endless years. 

Then in our memory let the dear words of our Father 
softly fall; 

This is the day of trouble; 'tis now in love, He bids us 
on Him call; 

Though shamed, bowed heads tell of our past ingrati- 
tude. 

Gently He lifts us upward to a blest beatitude. 

43 



Deliverance, with Him means a cure, and not a 
deadening of feeling; 
With a joy keen as pain, we feel the great gift He 
sends from on high; 
Deliverance ! The sting is all gone; the calm, blessed 
sense of the healing 
Comes to us, His children, what less can we do than 
His name glorify. 



44 



*'WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR?'' 

{Luke^ 10:34-38) 

We, too, some time have come down from the heights^ 
And wandered through the vale toward Jericho; 

Thieves have waylaid ahd robbed us of our rights, 
lycaving us wounded, helpless where to go. 

The priests have passed us by with hollow cant, 

Self-righteously they kept on in their heavenly way; 

The Levite looked, thought of his stock of legal rant, 
To justify himself, passed on the other side, perhaps 
to pray; 

And then, and then, O memory sweet and blest, 

The good Samaritan, in love drew near. 
Bound up our wounds, relieved the heart, oppressed; 
Gave all his own, welcomed us home, with faith sup- 
planted fear. 



45 



INSINCERITY. 

'* This people drawetk nigh unto fne with their 
fnouth^ and honor eth me with their lips, but their 
heart is far from me.'*'' — {Matthew 15:8.) 

Their hearts are filled with vanity and gain; 
They bargain for a blessing in Christ's name ; 
They feel themselves thus sinking day by day, 
The beasts within them holding souls at bay. 
To quench the truth, and make the wrong seem right, 
They call on other spirits, black as night; 
''Father, forgive !" they cry, but know they're not for- 
given, 
Their wordless lies are echoing back from heaven. 

Atone, a still small voice says, while yet there is time; 

You've learned the Christ- way; His v\^ays, God says, 
are mine. 

Think how ignoble is the judgment that you crave, 

Another sacrificed your worthless selves to save. 

The lowest reptiles, judged aright and true. 

Would be more fit for heaven than such as you; 

They'd take their punishment a just reward for wrong; 

You'd want the noblest slain to save your coward clam- 
oring throng. 



46 



DIVES VERSUS IvAZARUS. 

{Luke xvi: igs-^') 

Satiated, dreaming in your homes Elysian, 

Thirst for earthly things by choicest vintage quelled, 

Daring not an outward glance, lest the division 
You perceive which Dives' eyes beheld. 

Refuse now with dogs your brother man partaketh. 
While they lick his wounds, you stolidly look on, 

With " Survival of the fittest," you forget God maketh 
Ilzs survival last, when theories are gone. 

Chasms which can still be crossed are growing wider. 
Theories for conscience prove a useless salve; 

Spirit's voice awakeneth, when man has defied her. 
With reminder, she her rightful place must have. 

With your hopes of sacrifice and substitution. 
This retain in thought: Ere pardon you receive, 

Willing to atone for all (just retribution) 

You must be, if Christ's salvation you believe. 

Forced by spirit's torture, you the light beholding, 
Plead that to your own be one sent from the dead: 

Many-panged remorse has hidden for unfolding 
Still another: They to truth wt'll nol he led, 

47 



With the laws of Moses and the Prophets teaching, 
They will not believe. It surely would be vain, 

Conscience lulled by formal doctrines, to be reaching, 
Though one sent from heaven came back their love 
to gain. 

Back o'er records look and learn a law that's primal, 
Wholesome fear of God, to knowledge makes a path; 

Knowledge gives a clearer sight that love is final; 
1^0 ve is given to him, who of God knowledge hath. 



48 



TO YB SBI.F- RIGHTEOUS ONES. 

{Luke 18:11-12,) 

'Tis ye, like Pharisees, profess to lead Christian lives. 
Who torture your fellow-beings with pitiless doubt; 

Ye give no helping hand to one who justly strives 
To follow in the way our Savior has marked out. 

Talk not to me of the Thomas who did not believe 
Till he thrusted his hand in the Master's wounded 
side, 

Tour faith is Tnore hollow, for ye will not percieve, 
Till every quivering wound is opened wide. 

It is Christians like you with their conscious worth, 
Are wrecking more souls than the infidel's pen; 

Ye kill the germs of Christ-love at their birth, 
By doubting every act time and again. 

Ye talk of the tithes that are due to the I^ord, 
That will rob the poor of their daily bread; 

While your nine-tenths luxuries afford. 
Poor sinless children go unhoused, unfed. 

Unhoused? Aye, true. Though in pens some dwell, 
With starving mind and neglected soul. 

What say you ? Are you doing well ? 
Or will you in God's service now enroll? 

49 



Will you join in His cause ? or drift with the tide ? 

The tide so deceitful, so rushing toward sin. 
Will you help to uplift ? To cast far and wide 

Your bread on the water, that soon will come in ? 

I plead with you now, in His name to deny 
Yourselves some luxury, and freely give ; 

To bless with knowledge sweet, and wisdom from on 
high, 
The children's minds and souls that they may live. 

If you find in the Bible some passage or law 
That seems to sanction your wealth to retain 

For selfish ends, then think it a flaw. 

And remember Christ's life and eternal gain. 

O read it again with a reverent mind, 

That matchless sermon he preached on the mount; 
It will teach you the way, it will help you to find 

Contentment, when comes the final account. 



50 



WHICH SHAI.I. TRIUMPH? EVIIv OR GOOD? 

{Deut, 5/ 9-10.) 

Heredity menacingly frowned as forward she ushered 
the tendency: 
'* More evil than good, in the human race ever is 
found; 
And evil predominant now, will easily keep the ascend- 
ancy; 
Good, slow in its growth, will rarely rise far above 
ground." 

Then Habit, in strength, urged quickly her claim's 
recognition: 
"Repeat the good actions, and strongly the rootlets 
will grow, 
And dwarf all inherited weakness until no volition 
Is left to that power of evil which comes from below 

The surface of outward sight." "To the third and 
the fourth generation, ' ' 
Heredity shouted, ere Habit could finish her say: 
" The sins of the fathers descend. This unchangeable 
law of creation 
The balance power holds, when both sides you care- 
fully weigh." 

51 



** My ally," said Habit, "You've forgotten in part the 
quotation; 
Let me finish, and entity lose, becoming a part thus 
of you; 
* The good to the thousands rewarded shall be, ' has 
stood the probation 
Of time; and Habit though here, in the next I'm 
inherited too. 

** You thought but of evil, when speaking; that meant 
retrogression; 
I stood, for argument's sake, on the other side. 
We do the same work, though making a different pro- 
fession; 
I am growth; you, rebirth; and the field of our 
mission is wide. 



52 



WHAT WILL YOU DO? 

{Matthew 18:14.) 

If the Saviour were with you today, and tenderly with 
you were pleading, 
" Let the little ones grow in love, and so joyfully 
come unto me." 
Would you seek for some heavy cross, some burden 
with which you'd be leading 
Them unto the Master's feet, thus bound, for him to 
make free? 

Could you bear to see those eyes, with tears of sadness 
fast filHng 
When He saw your mistaken zeal, in pressing their 
happiness down ? 
You would realize then, that the life which He gave, 
you've been killing. 
In your blindness in striving to give them a cross, 
instead of a crown. 

You would see in a piercing light, how their souls you 

are bruising and maiming; 
How the stones you are giving to them, instead of 

the nourishing bread; 
How you flatter yourselves at their highest in life you 

are aiming ; 

53 



Then a stinging remorse comes too late, when the 
spirits within them seem dead. 

Yes, the Saviour forgives you again, though yourselves 
you are still deluding; 
Though so weary, He'll save those, in blindness you 
wilfully lost. 
He knows in the Father's home of bliss there will be 
be no excluding ; 
But will you, dear friends, make him suffer so much 
for the cost ? 



54 



THE FULFILLMENT. 

{Luke 3 '35') 

Eighteen centuries have passed since Resurection's 

hope began, 
A spirit blossomed forth in love, in toil matured, and 

termed Himself the Son of Man. 

He taught, for every dwarfed, misshapen thought that 
dies, 
A new, more perfect one shall have its course; 

That every act of justice soon will rise 

To the dear Father, where it had its source. 

Embodied in His life, the years He spent on earth 
Was all that's typical of perfect man. 

He filled the purpose well for which His soul had 
birth. 
Then went unto His own, where erst He dwelt when 
time began. 

To us is left the record's golden light sublime. 
A power applied to all who feel the need 

Of help from some one gone before, a god to shrine 
With human attributes, whose steps to heaven we 
may succeed. 

55 



THE VISION. 

{Matthew 18:22,') 

One evening as the sun was setting low, 
I paused to note the pretty golden glow 
That through the distant trees its beauty shed, 
Then like a flash my spirit onward sped. 
It tasted the joys of heaven, 

The rapture no tongue can describe, 
I felt how to Jesus was given 
The glory of earth when he died. 

And then I knew that one who loved me so, 
As He had bade the narrow way to go, 
And sweetly done so; till her spirit fled 
To that bright place; when here we called her dead. 
She left to her mourners leaven 

Of love, that will raise like a tide 
The souls of sad ones to heaven 
In bliss with her there to abide. 

With perfect love, this is the way I know; 
This did the vision clearly to me show. 
I felt I'd not done well; for time I plead 
For losing worldly self, and doing good instead, 
That others might know of heaven; 
That sin should never divide 



56 



The loved ones; that seventy times seven, 
Forgiveness shall not be denied 

%l^ «l^ •Af %^ %^ 

^m ^* *T* *|^ ^f* 

The time was granted, and the creature taste 

Grew strong again; and often shut the heaven away, 

Yet evening brought the thought, I must not waste 
The time; and worthy be of given respite for an- 
other day. 

The pleasures here, are grasped by those we save, 
We'll bear in silence till the ache is growing less, 

Then comes the mandate, once again be brave. 

You may prevent another's heart-break, your's the 
work again to bless. 

This be our motive; you who know, and read 
These pages o'er will never have a doubt. 

Words sharp force thoughts soft phrasing cannot lead; 
Truth must come firm and sure, though surface 
polish be left out. 

My people dear, my patient toiling friends, 
I've felt the scorn and want since helpless childhood 
time; 
This tribute to you: Love that never ends. 

Till right and goodness blot the memory of each 
bitter line, 



57 



CONTENTS. 



My Country, 'tis to Thee .^ . 3 

The Foreclosure. 4 

Retrospection. 6 

A Plea to the Voters. 9 

A Protest Against Filled Cheese 10 

Under Pressure 12 

To Brother J. Iv 13 

A Warning 16 

Resurrection 17 

William Jennings Bryan 19 

England 20 

Do Well Thy Work 21 

To Self-Ordained Aristocracy. 22 

To Exclusive Society. 23 

Social Equality. 24 

Bring a Soul unto Love's Altar. 25 

The General Housework Girl 27 

Recompense. 29 

Dr. and Mrs. Lyman Abbott. 30 

Pasadena 31 

The Grandest Mission of Women. .... 32 

Spirit and Letter. 33 

Duality 35 

Take ye Away the Stone. 37 

Evolution. 89 

Ask and ye Shall Receive. 41 

Cause and Effect 42 

Deliverance. 43 

Who Is my Neighbor. ...'... 45 

Insincerity 46 

Dives versus Lazarus 47 

To ye Self-Righteous Ones. 49 

Which Shall Triumph? Evil or Good? ... 51 

What Will You Do? 53 

The Fulfillment, ......... 55 

The Vision. .56 



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